Wed Feb 05 21:56:18 IST 2025: **Delhi BJP Poised for Comeback After Exit Polls Predict AAP Defeat**

NEW DELHI — Exit polls suggest a potential upset in the Delhi Assembly elections, predicting a significant victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a defeat for the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The polls, released after voting concluded with a 57.70% turnout, forecast the BJP securing a majority, potentially ending AAP’s eight-year rule.

While several exit polls project the BJP winning between 39 and 60 seats in the 70-member assembly, one pollster, Matrize, predicts a closer contest. The Congress party is largely predicted to win few, if any, seats.

The AAP has dismissed the exit polls, claiming they consistently underestimate their performance. However, BJP leaders have celebrated the projections, highlighting a desire for a corruption-free government and development in the national capital. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva attributed the predicted win to the “Modi wave” and the party’s hard work.

The elections saw a fierce three-way contest between the AAP, BJP, and Congress, with high-profile clashes in key constituencies like Kalkaji. Over 1.56 crore citizens were eligible to vote across 13,766 polling stations. The voting process was overseen by a large security presence and the Election Commission of India’s new Queue Management System app.

The day’s voting wasn’t without incident. Allegations of vote buying, fake voting, and voter intimidation were made by both the AAP and BJP, leading to several detentions and protests. AAP also accused the police of detaining Valmiki community leaders. The Election Commission is investigating these claims. The final results will be announced on February 8.

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